The United States and its allies have warned Iran that main Western economies will impose new sanctions on Tehran if it goes forward with a brand new plan to supply ballistic missiles to Russia for its battle with Ukraine. .
by
Amer Madani Associated Press
March 15, 2024, 11:08 a.m. ET
• 3 minute learn
WASHINGTON — The United States and its allies warned Iran on Friday that main Western economies would impose new sanctions on Tehran if it goes forward with plans to supply ballistic missiles to Russia for battle with Ukraine. did.
The Biden administration has been warning for months that Russia is looking for short-range ballistic missiles from Iran as Russia struggles to replenish dwindling provides.
The United States has not but confirmed that the missiles moved from Iran to Russia. But U.S. officers are cautious of statements from Iranian officers that counsel a deal is imminent.
“If Iran strikes ahead with offering ballistic missiles and associated expertise to Russia, we stand prepared to reply in a swift and coordinated method, together with by taking important new measures towards Iran,” the G7 leaders mentioned in an announcement. Stated.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations mentioned final month that whereas there aren’t any authorized restrictions stopping Iran from promoting ballistic missiles, it has a “ethical obligation to chorus from arms gross sales throughout the Russia-Ukraine battle to forestall inciting battle.” mentioned.
The United States and Europe have already imposed broad-based sanctions on Iran, proscribing the nation’s entry to commerce, monetary providers, power, expertise and different sectors. The sanctions towards Iran are maybe the broadest and most complete sanctions the United States maintains towards any nation, concentrating on 1000’s of people and entities.
In January, the Democratic administration mentioned that though U.S. intelligence officers had decided that the Russia-Iran deal was not but full, it was involved about Russia’s aggressive negotiations to accumulate missiles from Iran. .
In September, Iran hosted Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to indicate off numerous ballistic missile programs, in accordance with the White House, a second that heightened U.S. considerations {that a} deal may very well be reached.
The United States and different nations have taken measures geared toward blocking the provision, sale, and switch of ballistic missile-related objects to Iran, together with directing personal corporations to inadvertently undermine Iran’s growth efforts. This contains issuing steerage on Iran’s missile procurement practices to discourage assist.
“We’ve despatched a really clear message to Iran not to do this. This is a really topical matter amongst many nations,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned at a press convention in Vienna on Friday. ” he mentioned.
The Biden administration has repeatedly sought to say that the Kremlin depends on Iran and North Korea for the weapons it wants for its battle towards Ukraine, and has launched intelligence research it says present as a lot.
Russia acquired North Korean ballistic missiles and used them towards Ukraine. But Ukrainian officers say North Korean missiles deployed by the Russian navy incessantly miss their targets.
According to the White House, Russia has acquired a whole lot of assault drones and drone manufacturing tools from Iran. The Biden administration additionally accused the Iranian authorities of offering supplies to Russia to construct a drone manufacturing manufacturing facility east of Moscow.
Iran initially denied supplying drones to Russia.Tehran later solely acknowledged that Moscow offered a small quantity of data earlier than launching its invasion of Ukraine.
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Associated Press diplomatic correspondent Matthew Lee contributed from Vienna.